10The Mona Lisa by Leonardo da Vinci
Arguably the most famous painting in the world, Leonardo da Vinci’s Mona Lisa draws millions of visitors annually. Known for her enigmatic smile, the subject of this masterpiece, believed to be Lisa Gherardini, remains an intriguing mystery. The painting’s revolutionary use of sfumato—a technique that blends colors to create soft, realistic transitions—adds to her hauntingly lifelike quality. Measuring only 30 by 21 inches, the Mona Lisa may be smaller than expected, but it’s impossible to overlook its magnetic pull and place in art history.
